Jason Higgens, from the musical group Jacob’s Passage, lead the us in lively gospel singing.

The session was considered a great success, and was very appreciated by all.

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The Alongside Hope Indigenous Partnership Program promotes partnerships based on recognition, respect, and support for the rights and wellbeing of the Indigenous partners.

Indigenous cultures, languages, and traditions are invaluable and contribute to the rich tapestry of Canadian society. Supporting Indigenous programs helps preserve and revitalize these cultural assets, ensuring they are passed on to future generations.

Mapping the Ground We Stand On

In 2015, following the final report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, Alongside Hope developed a narrative and a process called “Mapping the Ground We Stand On.” The resulting workshop explored Indigenous presence and Settler arrival on the map of Turtle Island/Canada.

Piloted at Alongside Hope’s National Gathering in the fall of 2015, this “education for reconciliation” resource was further developed and delivered in parishes and other venues. In 2019, Alongside Hope launched a new five-year strategic plan. The fifth goal is “Mutual Reconciliation: We will accompany and support First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples, guided by the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the priorities of Indigenous communities and organizations in Canada.” In 2019, a decision was taken by Alongside Hope to train a national network of Mapping Exercise facilitators.

Bring a Mapping Exercise to your community

The map of truth and reconciliation in Canada is still very much incomplete. Alongside Hope remains committed to being part of the journey towards finding a more complete map.

Each ecclesiastical province group has been equipped with a large floor map of Canada and is ready to bring this education for reconciliation resource to you. It is ideal for a synod, clergy retreat day, youth gathering, or Indigenous awareness event in your parish or community.

Archdeacon Terry Caines wrote that “during the annual clergy Lenten retreat, under the guidance of Canon Tom Mugford, an Alongside Hope representative, clergy of Central NL took part in a meaningful Mapping exercise designed to create reflection, awareness, and shared learning. Through visual storytelling and guided discussion, clergy looked at key moments and stories that have shaped our nation’s history, including lesser-known and often overlooked experiences.

The exercise encouraged clergy to engage more deeply with the historical truths of our country, including the lasting impacts of colonization and the experiences of Indigenous communities across regions such as Newfoundland and Labrador. By visually tracing these histories, clergy gained new insight into how past events continue to influence present-day communities.

Beyond education, the Mapping exercise created sacred space for dialogue, mutual understanding, and collective growth. It offered an opportunity not only to learn, but also to listen—strengthening relationships and deepening commitment to reconciliation, compassion, and informed ministry within our communities.”

If you would like to host a Mapping Exercise for an Anglican entity, Alongside Hope will cover any travel costs for our volunteer facilitators. Local hosts are asked to cover any costs associated with the venue or refreshments and provide tech support. Non-Anglican entities are asked to cover both travel and hosting costs. For more information on the Mapping Exercise cost structure, please contact Abdi Ali aali@alongsidehope.org.

Information taken from the Alongside Hope website (alongsidehope.org)

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The devotion was centred around winter and snow. The hymn, “Wash me and I shall be whiter than snow” was sung, and it reminded us how wonderful it is to visualize how God can take imperfections in our hearts and turn them into something pure, clean, and lovely.

The evening included snow games, action games, winter pokey, and singing.  Even Frosty the Snowman made a visit!

Refreshments included charcuterie treats. With over 140 ladies present, it was a beautiful evening with lots of fun and laughter.

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Congratulations to Captain Dawe and thank you for how you serve in the CLB, the Church, and the wider community.   

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We are building intergenerational relationships and understanding as this is our second visit. Each were asked what do you enjoy doing? Our youth enjoy dance, hockey, and playing guitar. When the seniors were young, among other things, they enjoyed playing tag, copy house, tiddlywinks, and with dolls. Times have changed!

The young and young at heart had a chance to mingle and chat. The youth band and leaders then enjoyed a supper at a local restaurant for more relationship building among the group. Our parish is blessed to have such a wonderful group of youth. Their kindness and care for others is inspiring.

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The calendar is a recurring Christmas gift I’ve been finding in my stocking for the past several years.

Here at St. John the Evangelist, Topsail, our rector, Canon Jotie Noel, also makes sure that we celebrate each red-letter day on the Church’s calendar.

The day that I am writing this article, Sunday, February 1st, as our congregation gathered together in our place of worship, we were happy to be welcomed to and participate in the annual Christingle service—symbolizing God’s gift to us as the Light of the World, and as an aftermath to the winding down of Advent. Christingle serves as a reminder of the true meaning of Christmas.

At the foot of the altar this morning, with three of our younger members of the congregation participating, Canon Jotie once again used the analogy of an orange as a motif to demonstrate the best gift of all.

Each child displayed an orange, which represented the concept of a circle—round like the world. A candle at the top represented God’s Light. A ribbon around the orange represented the love of God that goes around the world. Toothpicks are a symbol of love pointing in all directions.

The demonstration was greatly enhanced by the involvement of the three children as they joyfully assisted Canon Jotie while he explained the biblical meaning of the multiple components displayed on the table.

After an uplifting service, the Anglican Church Women of our parish invited everyone downstairs to participate in fellowship and food.

A rewarding day was had by all.

The Lord is my light
And my salvation
Whom shall I fear
– Psalm 27

The post The Christingle Service appeared first on Anglican Life.

Over the centuries, the parish has witnessed countless moments of joy, sorrow, and resilience, becoming a cornerstone of communal life in Port de Grave. To commemorate this bicentennial milestone, parishioners and clergy have planned a series of special events, including historical displays, musical performances, and a service of thanksgiving attended by local dignitaries and visitors from across the province. The preacher at the service will be the Most Rev’d Shane Parker, the 15th Primate of the Anglican Church in Canada. The service will be on September 20th at 7pm. Everyone is invited to come, and the clergy are invited to vest. The colour will be red for St. Luke’s Day.

“This anniversary is not only a reflection of our past, but a celebration of the people who have shaped our parish and community,” said the Rev’d Jason Haggstrom, current priest-in-charge of St. Luke’s Parish. “We honour those who came before us and look forward to continuing our mission with faith and compassion.”

The festivities have also highlighted the parish’s church building, which celebrates its centennial this year as well, and the rich traditions of worship and outreach that have defined its legacy. Local historians have shared stories of the parish’s founding families, the impact of the fishing industry, and how faith has woven itself into the fabric of daily life.

As the Anglican Parish of Port de Grave enters its third century, leaders and parishioners alike are hopeful for a future rooted in community and service. The bicentennial serves as a poignant reminder of the enduring power of the Gospel’s message and the importance of passing on the faith to the generation to come.

Our collect for our bicentennial year:

Almighty Father, we give thanks and praise for guiding this Parish through two centuries of faith, community and service. By your grace, our ancestors built a foundation upon Christ. By your Spirit, we have grown as His Body in love and in worship. Grant that as we celebrate our 200th Anniversary, we be strengthened to serve our neighbours, proclaim your Gospel, and bear steadfast witness to you in our generation through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

The post Anglican Parish of Port de Grave Marks 200 Years of Faith and Community appeared first on Anglican Life.

The Rev’d Kudawashe Madzime (Rev’d Kuda), gave the message for the evening. He gave an uplifting sermon of how

we portray the image of God not by outward appearances, but by our inward selves. He said, “It is the Spirit of God that is in you and me. In the image of God we are equal.”

We celebrated the evening in song with UnCommon Praise (our St. Michael and All Angels’ guitar group) who played the congregational hymns. The Zimbabwean community delighted us with two selections of drumming, and dancing from the young children.

At the closing of the service, Ivy Danquah (from Ghana) sang an inspirational rendition of “Sanctuary”.

The festivities continued after the blessing with a tea in the hall. Many stayed to enjoy the taste of some Zimbabwean and Nigerian foods, including boiled peanuts which seemed to be a favourite with the children. As we say in Newfoundland and Labrador, “A good time was had by all!” which can be compared to an African saying that Rev’d Kuda shared, which translated it means, “I Am because We Are.” As Rev’d Mickton expressed this feeling wholeheartedly on St. Michael and All Angels’ Facebook page “…prayers rose to God in different languages, reminding us that the Church truly speaks with many voices, yet shares one Spirit.”

A very memorable night of celebration for all!

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It was wonderful to hear the voices of children and adults singing along: what a joyful sound!

In mid-December, members of the Fellowship Group, and ladies from the community, went carolling in Rocky Harbour and Norris Point. It was amazing as the night sky glistened with stars, the light snow fell, we saw trees covered with blankets of snow, and heard voices ringing in the air. How joyful it was to knock on someone’s door, to let them know the carollers were there, and see how excited they were to come outside in the night air and listen to the singing. For many people it brought back many happy memories of Christmas, loved ones, and traditions.

This is Christmas; this is what it’s all about. The Fellowship Group will have memories for ever, and it was a blessing; we look forward to doing it again next year!

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